This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/20/2010 12:00 AMValley Regional High School junior Hennessy Aspilaire may be best known for his speed and skills on the lacrosse field, but he also has made quite an impact on the football and basketball teams. As a top scorer for the Warriors in lacrosse, Hennessy has also been a part of two winning seasons for the football and basketball teams.
Hennessy started his football career with Tri-Town Football in 3rd grade and eventually made varsity at Valley his sophomore year as a receiver.
"Starting my first game as a sophomore was pretty nerve-wracking, but our team is one big family so I feel comfortable around all the other players and we have a good time together playing," says Hennessy.
His sophomore year, the team posted a winning record-the best record for the team in recent memory-and Hennessy's skills could not only be attributed to his hard work on the field, but also with a passing league in Guilford in the summer off-season.
Hennessy also started playing basketball in kindergarten and played with Parks and Recreation for years. He was a part of the John Winthrop Middle School team and made varsity his sophomore year-the season that changed everything for the Warriors.
"We finally had a winning record that season and it was special to be somewhat part of that," says Hennessy.
The Old Lyme Ticks was Hennessy's starting point in lacrosse in 4th grade. For four years, he played with the Ticks and learned skills that enabled him to make varsity at Valley his freshman year. He was a starting attack and helped the team to make the state tournament for the first time that season-a game he also scored the first goal in. This season, Hennessy currently has 34 goals in nine games and is a top scorer for the team, and also plays lacrosse in the off-season with Southeast Select.
"A huge game for us this season was when we beat Morgan for the first time in Valley history," says Hennessy. "The past two years they've beaten us pretty bad and we finally beat them. I had five goals and two assists that game and was happy I could contribute to that win."
As a member of the Young Educator's Society and Drama Club at Valley, Hennessy is looking towards his college future and hoping to play Division III lacrosse at either Lynchburg College in Virginia or Nazareth College in New York.
"Both of those schools are pretty high up in the lacrosse ranks so I'd be happy to get on either team," says Hennessy, also an honor roll student. "I was at a tournament at UMass last summer and a few coaches were watching my game so I got a chance to talk to them afterwards. They're both interested in having me play and they want a few highlights so I'm hoping for the best.
"I want to thank my sister, Katchia, because she critiques my games and tells me what I'm doing good and what I'm not," adds Hennessy. "I want to thank my nephew, Kendrick, because he's three and always comes to my games. I also want to thank my parents and family for driving me to all my games and being there to support me, and my teachers for helping me with my schoolwork. And lastly, I want to thank my coaches, Coach Hopkins and Coach Ginter, for teaching me what I know and helping me take my game up and also Rick McCarthy [head coach of Wesleyan lacrosse] because he showed me a lot of what I know now since I've played for him in Southeast."